Category: Empire Media

SARANAC LAKE, NY – Shortly after finishing the 2019 Empire League season, Eddy Reynoso was signed to play with the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Roberto Clemente Puerto Rico Professional Winter League.

Reynoso had a stellar winter where he went (5-0) as a reliever and was a part of the 2019 Championship team in which ended up participating in the Caribbean World Series representing the Island of Puerto Rico.

Reynoso, a member of the Puerto Rico Islanders, has signed with the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League. He hopes that when the pandemic is over, that he can go back to trying to live his dream again.

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The Empire League online store is now open and taking orders for the 2020 Regular Season for merchandise of all the Empire League teams.

The store will feature your favorite team’s merchandise for the teams participating in the 2020 season which are the Tupper Lake Riverpigs, Plattsburgh Thunderbirds, Saranac Lake Surge, Puerto Rico Islanders and New Hampshire Wild.

SARANAC LAKE, NY – Shortly after finishing the 2019 Empire League season, Eddy Reynoso was signed to play with the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Roberto Clemente Puerto Rico Professional Winter League. Reynoso had a stellar winter where he went (5-0) as a reliever and was a part of the 2019 Championship team in which […]

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The Empire League online store is now open and taking orders for the 2020 Regular Season for merchandise of all the Empire League teams. The store will feature your favorite team’s merchandise for the teams participating in the 2020 season which are the Tupper Lake Riverpigs, Plattsburgh Thunderbirds, Saranac Lake Surge, […]

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The Empire Leagues top free agent will be putting on a new uniform this 2020 season as he has been signed to the Chicago Dogs of the American Association located in Chicago, Illinois. Itakura, from Tochigi, Japan, was named top Empire League prospect just a few weeks ago. The 29 year […]

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The Empire Leagues top free agent will be putting on a new uniform this 2020 season as he has been signed to the Chicago Dogs of the American Association located in Chicago, Illinois.

Itakura, from Tochigi, Japan, was named top Empire League prospect just a few weeks ago. The 29 year old Outfielder hit .357 in the Empire League last season with 1 home run with the Surge and two in the finals with the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds.

“Since he joined the league, we have been trying hard to get him signed until our good friend Butch Hobson, Manager of the Chicago Dogs fell in love with his swing from the Empire League recruiting videos. ” – Eddie Gonzalez

Itakura will join former Empire League infielder Edwin Arroyo who has been phenomenal since sent to the Dogs and has re-signed for the 2020 Season.

“His work ethic and his intelligence is top level. I think he will be another outstanding player for the Chicago Dogs this year.” – Jerry Gonzalez

Itakura will be another Empire League Player that will continue their career after posting up great numbers in an Empire League Season.

With the 2020 Summer approaching many sports programs, venues and leagues have been impacted due to the health and safety risks from Covid19.

The Empire League is one of the organizations that has been minimally impacted by the pandemic and league officials are ready to make the necessary adjustments to make the 2020 season a possibility. All though the league has kept cautious attention to all restrictions and health concerns due to the Covid19 threat, the reopening process will still have its challenges.

The league has mentioned that they have a high probability of playing a 2020 season, however several temporary adjustments will likely be made to make the season happen this year. The list of adjustments includes, possibly operating the entire league out of one facility or one region to limit travel risk for players and fans. If no sports are allowed in the State of NY then the season can take place in any state that allows for Sports facility use, even if in the privacy of a complex without fan interaction.

The league looks to probably play a shortened under 2 month season as most leagues are doing. The Covid19 pandemic has also caused delays in the finalization of the newly formed Georgia Rhinos Franchise with the league, the impact could cause the Franchise to be debuting in 2021 when business operations get back to normal and the Franchise agreement can be finalized.

Nothing is set in stone as of now, we only know that if the Pro Leagues are playing then we have a role of preparing players for those leagues therefore we have to get our guys prepared and developed. Fans and followers of the Empire League can expect a speedy schedule created and start of the program once sports are back allowed to operate.

SARANAC LAKE, NY – League officials made a decision on the Pro Baseball showcase and league training camp. With the unfortunate situation that surrounds the Country due to Covid-19 pandemic, the league is making an adjustment to make a 2020 season possible. The annual league tryout camp will be pushed back to a later date in the same original month of June. Instead of event taking place in the first week of June as it has every single year, it will likely be moved to the last week of June.

The League will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and will comply with State regulations to make sure that all necessary steps are taken to be able to get back on the field. League official have confirmed that there will be a showcase camp to help many players as all the Pro Leagues that are operating will need players ready to be signed.

“We are willing to move the camp to anywhere in the country that can accommodate us if necessary and at a date that is convenient for the showcase capability of our players. We will have this camp for the simple reason that if the high level Professional leagues are going to be having their season, then we need to be able to provide them with players as needed and that’s the key of our existence . Our mission is to showcase the talent of the players so that they can be signed to professional contracts. We will gladly move date and location to the safest possible place where players can show their talent and we will help many players get the opportunity they deserve. We are going to wait until possibly May 15th when government authorities will update us and announce if sports can happen and at that point we will determine the final camp date and location in May. But we are confident that we will have a camp and we will have Empire Baseball this year. It could be in New York , or Florida but it will be somewhere where baseball can be played.”

With the pro showcase camp being pushed back means the start of the Empire Baseball League season will be pushed back to follow the camp. Players need to be prepared to make the necessary adjustments for camp changes. Any questions feel free to email baseball@empireproleague.com